By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO) Africa will host a five-day Sales and Exhibition of Made-in-Nigeria Products in Dakar, Senegal, from February 23 to 27, 2026. The event aims to promote regional trade, showcase Nigerian innovation, and advance the “Buy Nigerian” campaign.
The exhibition will feature products from fashion, agriculture, technology, and other sectors, with business-to-business matchmaking sessions and cultural performances.
NIDO Africa’s Continental Chairman, Prof. Jude Osakwe, says the event will highlight Nigerian-made products’ quality and competitiveness.
The initiative aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) objectives, seeking to boost intra-African trade. Participating Nigerian exporters will undergo training on export compliance and marketing to ensure competitiveness.
According to Professor Osakwe, the exhibition is intended to highlight the quality and competitiveness of Nigerian-made products while opening new opportunities for intra-African trade.
“This exhibition is more than a marketplace; it is a bold statement about the quality, creativity, and resilience of Nigerian-made products,” Osakwe said. “We are bringing Nigeria’s economic potential to Senegal, one of our key regional partners, and creating pathways for African businesses to grow through regional trade.”
The event will feature product demonstrations, business-to-business matchmaking sessions, cultural performances, and investment and export opportunities.
It is themed “Powering Africa’s Future: Made in Nigeria, Shared with the World,” reflecting NIDO Africa’s broader vision of positioning Nigeria as a leading exporter of value-added goods within Africa.
NIDO Africa said the initiative aligns with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to remove trade barriers and encourage cross-border commerce across the continent. Senegal’s role as a strategic hub in Francophone West Africa is expected to provide Nigerian businesses with access to a wider regional market.
Speaking on the significance of the timing, NIDO Africa’s Public Relations Officer, Ambassador Folaji Adura, noted that AfCFTA has created new opportunities for African enterprises to expand beyond their home markets.
“As AfCFTA continues to open up the continent, events like this enable Nigerian businesses to reach new customers and establish lasting partnerships across borders,” Adura said.
Preparations for the exhibition are currently underway, with participating Nigerian exporters undergoing training on export compliance, packaging standards, and cross-cultural marketing to ensure competitiveness in international markets.
Beyond commercial objectives, the exhibition is also expected to strengthen diaspora engagement, with thousands of Nigerians living in Senegal and neighbouring countries projected to attend.
